Genesee Community College Announces November Employees and Student of the Month

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A group photograph of Genesee's Public Safety Staff

BATAVIA, NY (11/30/2009)(readMedia)-- Genesee Community College is pleased to announce the entire Public Safety staff has been named Employees of the Month for November. During these times when safety is a critical concern, it is comforting to know that Genesee has a Public Safety staff that responds to situations quickly and professionally. The dedication, cooperation, and commitment of the Public Safety officers is commendable. They contributed significantly to the College being recognized as a "Great College to Work For" in The Chronicle of Higher Education survey this past fall by helping the institution to score so high in the quality of safety and security of the campus environment.

Members of Genesee's Public Safety Staff include: David Johnson, Norman Paul, Brenda Case, Richard Tiede, Robert Casper, Mike Moore, Erik Anderson, Charlie Scripp, David VanValkenburg, David May, Richard Harter, Timothy Morris and Emanual Zerillo.

Editor's Note:

ATTACHED PHOTO CAPTION: Members of Genesee Community College's Public Safety and Human Resources staff. Front row: Erik Anderson, Brenda Case, David May. Second Row: President Stuart Steiner, Richard Tiede, Valerie Hale, Executive Secretary for VP of Human Resources and Planning, David Johnson, Mike Moore. Third Row: Larene Hoelcle, VP for Human Resources and Planning, Charles Scripp, Julie Caswell, Environmental health and Safety Specialist, Norman Paul, Richard Harter, and Robert Casper.

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Genesee Community College is pleased to announce Khilna Samat has been named Student of the Month for November. Khilna is a math and science major who is a determined student with an excellent academic record. Khilna is an international student from Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.

As a second year student, she is involved in many college activities such as the Respect Campaign, the Student Government Association, the International Student Organization, Campus Activities Board and breast cancer awareness events, to name just a few. Over the summer, Khilna assisted in instructor Jackie DiBella's classroom and displayed great leadership abilities, listening skills, and she embraced the responsibilities she was given. She currently is a teaching assistant in one of DiBella's Public Speaking classes.

She sets a very positive image for all students, but especially for the College's international students, by the way she communicates, the personal growth she has experienced at Genesee, and through the caring compassionate spirit she has for her peers. Khilna will be a guest speaker at an African Cultures and Traditions panel discussion on December 3 at 12:30PM at the Batavia Campus. She will share her personal experience of living and growing up in Tanzania, along with other students and faculty who are from various countries throughout Africa.

Khilna, 21, has always wanted to come to the United States and study here. She was referred to Genesee Community College from a contact back in Tanzania. She was attracted to the affordability of Genesee and the safety and security of the Batavia area community. Her parents Mita and Dipak still reside in Tanzania and her sister is currently studying in Perth, Australia.

Khilna plans on graduating from Genesee in December of 2010 and will then visit Tanzania for a few months to visit with family before returning to the U.S. to earn a Bachelor's degree, possibly from SUNY Geneseo for Pre-Veterinary studies. Her dream job would be to become a Veterinarian following her love of animals, both large and small. She would also enjoy a career where she can make positive changes in the world.

"I really enjoy volunteering and I would like to be able to help the elderly and people living in poverty. I just want to be able to make a difference in whatever career path I choose," Khilna said. "Genesee has helped me to realize my career aspirations and I'm grateful to the faculty here for their personal interactions and guidance."

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